Taskmaster fans have complained that some of the funniest scenes from the latest series have been cut out and banished to the outtake bin, with many saying the edits have 'sucked the fun' out of the show.
Viewers are reportedly enjoying the series overall, but they have one major gripe: the studio banter between contestants, Greg Davies and Alex Horne is missing from the main episodes.
Fans say outtakes are better than the show
On Reddit, Billy Bryant wrote: 'So I've enjoyed bits of this season, but it's felt at times like it's been rather calm, not much interaction or banter, straight to tasks; a lot of the fun interactions between contestants and Greg and Alex are just missing.'
'So lately I've caught a few of the outtakes on YouTube, and that's where all these moments are. Richard Ayoade has actually been really funny in the studio on multiple occasions, and in the studio edit it's cut down to minimal conversation.'
'I don't know if anyone else feels like this, but it's taken out a lot of what I love about the show. The content is there, but they edited it all out.'
Criticism of the tasks
SystemPelican agreed, claiming the editors are 'overvaluing the tasks at the cost of studio banter'.
'To me, the tasks are fun, but the real gold is having everyone react to the nonsense in the studio after,' they wrote.
'The outtakes have been so much better than the show,' agreed sammyt10803. 'Richard has been the biggest revelation, but really just the whole vibe seems better in them.'
KindlyKangaroo meanwhile wrote that they are surprised how much Richard comes alive in the outtakes compared to his subdued experience in the studio.
DerHoggenCatten had a more withering critique, saying that while 'the best bits are being chopped out', they believe it is less the fault of the cast and more the fault of Little Alex Horne.
'An increasing problem is the straightjacket the tasks are putting contestants in,' they wrote. 'The tasks need to be simpler, with more flexibility so they can be funnier or more creative with them.'
DerHoggenCatten was not the only one to claim the tasks have grown too complicated; others agreed that the simpler tasks in the first few series were better.
Editor's take on the series
Deputy TV Editor Tom Percival shared his thoughts on Taskmaster series 22, saying: 'I've seen a lot of people asking 'What's wrong with Taskmaster series 22?' and honestly I think the answer is 'nothing'.'
'Yeah, the in-studio stuff isn't as funny as other years, but that's what happens when you have a rotating cast on a series: there are always peaks and troughs.'
He added that the series is following a generational run of top-tier Taskmaster contestants, with the last three casts in particular having incredible chemistry.
Taskmaster series 22 continues on Thursday at 9pm on Channel 4.
